Victims Of Gun Violence Research Articles

Lived experiences of people impacted by gun violence: qualitative analysis of the prescriptions for repair project

BackgroundRestorative justice interventions can help address the harm created by gun violence, although few restorative justice programs focus solely on survivors or loved ones of victims of gun violence. Our...

The Influence of Gun Victimization on Support for Gun Control Legislation.

The primary objective of the current study was to add to the literature and broaden our understanding of gun violence victims by examining attitudes towards gun legislation held by victims of gun violence. To our knowledge, there are only two quantitative studies that have examined the impact of gun victimization on attitudes towards gun control legislation. A secondary objective was to examine the link between impressions of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and gun policy preferences, which remains an understudied area in the gun legislation literature. The current study additionally examined other factors that may impact support for gun control measures. Utilizing data from a national sample of 880 adults and controlling for demographic predictors, logistic regression was employed to examine the impact of gun victimization on attitudes towards gun control legislation. Although prior gun victimization did not yield any significant findings, concordant with prior research, regression results indicated that gun ownership was a strong predictor of opposition to gun control among respondents. Interestingly, holding a favorable attitude towards the NRA was an even stronger predictor of opposition to firearms legislation than gun ownership. Findings point to the need for additional empirical research on the impact of gun victimization and the influence that organizations like the NRA have on public opinion and subsequent gun safety legislative efforts.

Gun violence revictimization in New York State: What increases the risk of being shot again?

While gun injuries are more likely to occur in urban settings and affect people of color, factors associated with gun violence revictimization-suffering multiple incidents of gun violence-are unknown. We examined victim demographics and environmental factors associated with gun violence revictimization in New York State (NYS). The 2005 to 2020 NYS hospital discharge database was queried for patients aged 12 years to 65 years with firearm-related hospital encounters. Patient and environmental variables were extracted. Patient home zip code was used to determine the Social Deprivation Index (SDI) for each patient's area of residence. We conducted bivariate and multivariate analyses among patients who suffered a single incident of gun violence or gun violence revictimization. We identified 38,974 gun violence victims among whom 2,243 (5.8%) suffered revictimization. The proportion of revictimization rose from 4% in 2008 to 8% in 2020 ( p < 0.01). The median [interquartile range] time from first to second incident among those who suffered revictimization was 359 days [81-1,167 days]. Revictimization was more common among Blacks (75.0% vs. 65.1%, p < 0.01), patients with Medicaid (54.9% vs. 43.2%, p < 0.01), and in areas of higher deprivation (84.8 percentile vs. 82.1 percentile, p < 0.01). Gun violence revictimization is on the rise. People of color and those residing in areas with high social deprivation are more likely to be re-injured. Our findings emphasize the importance of community-level over individual-level interventions for prevention of gun violence revictimization. Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level IV.

Emergency Department Usage Patterns Among Pediatric Victims of Gun Violence and Physical Assault.

Violent injuries are a common reason for pediatric emergency department (ED) visits, with gun violence being the leading cause of violent death among children. The objective of this study was to assess for patterns of pediatric ED usage that are associated with future ED visits for violent injuries. This case-control study included youths aged 6 to 19 years who presented to a pediatric ED over a 3-year period due to a physical assault (PA) or their first known gunshot wound (GSW). We compared them with age-, race-, and sex-matched youths presenting for nonviolent medical complaints. All previous ED visits were coded as (1) injuries due to a previous PA, (2) mental/behavioral health visits, (3) sexual/reproductive health visits, (4) sexual assault, or (5) concerns for child abuse. We used multivariate logistic regression to identify patterns of previous ED usage associated with future ED visits for injuries related to PA and/or GSW. The PA and GSW groups used the ED for previous PAs, mental/behavioral health, sexual/reproductive health, sexual assault, and/or child abuse concerns on average 4 to 8 times as often as the control group. Previous ED visits for mental/behavioral health (odds ratio [OR] 5), sexual/reproductive health (OR 3), sexual assault (OR 9), and prior PA (OR 8) were predictive of a future ED visit for PA. Male sex (OR 6) and previous ED visits for PA (OR 5) were predictive of a future ED visit for GSW. Two percent of the PA group and 9% of the GSW group returned to the ED with a subsequent GSW in the following 16 to 40 months. Emergency department visits due to interpersonal violence, mental/behavioral health, sexual/reproductive health, and sexual assault are associated with recurrent ED visits for violent injuries. Awareness of patterns of ED usage may aid in identifying patients at high risk for violence and increase opportunities for preventative interventions.

A Qualitative Study on Occupational Therapists’ Experiences with Gun Owners and Victims of Gun-Related Violence

With the widespread access to firearms and an increasing prevalence of gun violence, examining the experiences of occupational therapists in dealing with gun owners and gun violence victims is warranted. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with occupational therapy practitioners with experience working with this population in the United States. Using thematic analysis, three main themes emerged: psychological and emotional dimensions, occupational safety and management, and daily functioning. The findings of this study provide insights into the strategies used by therapists in this context.

Holistic Approach to Gun Violence.

The purpose of this manuscript is to provide holistic practice strategies for the care of victims of gun violence. Gun violence is a public health crisis with a significant increase following the pandemic. The impact of Covid-19 restrictions placed an increase burden on some communities already overwhelmed with poverty, crime, and deteriorating homes. The overrepresentation of African American males as victim of gun violence indicates a health care disparity which needs to be addressed. The Theory of Reasoned Action and Theory of Planned Behavior are a theoretical framework that provides insight to the social behaviors associated with gun violence. The holistic approach recognizes the interconnection between individuals and environment, in order to facilitate the healing process for victims of gun violence, social factors and environment must be incorporated into their care.

Interpersonal violence affecting the pediatric population: Patterns of injury and recidivism

PurposeWe aim to describe interpersonal violence-related injury patterns in the pediatric trauma population and to identify predictors of recidivism. MethodsIn this retrospective analysis from a single institution, we included pediatric patients (≤17 years) treated (2006–2020) for traumatic injury related to interpersonal violence (IPV). Patient characteristics were compared among mechanism types and between recidivists and non recidivists using two sample t-tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and Pearson's chi-squared. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression to identify predictors of repeat injury. ResultsWe identified 635 pediatric patients who sustained injuries owning to IPV: firearm (N = 266), assault (stab/blunt; N = 243), and abuse (N = 126). The average age of the firearm, assault, and abuse groups was 15.5, 14.7, and 1.1 years (SD = 2.2, 3.4, 2.4 years), respectively. Majority of the overall cohort was male (77.5%) and publicly- or un insured (67.8%), with 28.0% being Black. Of the 489 firearm and assault patients who survived the first injury, 30 (6.1%) had repeat injury owning to IPV requiring treatment at our center with a median time of 40 months (IQR 17-62 months) between first and second injury. The majority of recidivists (83.3%) were victims of gun violence whereas the distribution between assault and firearm in the non recidivists was more even at 51 and 49%, respectively (p < 0.001). Eighteen (60.0%) of the recidivist patients had the same mechanism between the first and second injury. In the logistic regression analysis, Black race and firearm injury were associated with greater than 3-fold higher likelihood of repeat injury compared to white race after adjusting for age, sex, insurance, and child opportunity index. ConclusionsWe found that survivors of firearm injuries and assault comprise a vulnerable patient cohort at risk for repeat injury, and Black race is an independent predictor of repeat injury owning to IPV. These findings provide guidance for developing violence prevention programs. Type of studyRetrospective Comparative Study Level of evidenceLevel III

In Case You Haven't Heard…

A decade ago, after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre when mass shootings gripped the nation, the mental health community staunchly fought against any notion that people with mental illness are more likely than others to commit gun violence. Instead, the community said — with plentiful research to back it up — that people with mental illness are more likely to be victims of gun violence. Well, how a little money can change reality. Now, as Congress wraps up gun legislation focused on increasing federal funding for mental illness — funding that is needed — that argument has gone by the wayside. The groups that will benefit from the money support the idea that yes, people with mental illness are more likely to commit gun violence. More money for treatment, good. More stigma for people with mental illness, not good. People with substance use disorders already know they can't easily buy guns. And by the way, easily buying guns is also not good. For more, see the excellent report in last month's Roll Call. https://rollcall.com/2022/06/15/15gunsmental/

Our Thoughts and Prayers

Our Thoughts and Prayers Cacayo (bio) To the 20+ children a day who are victims of gun violence in the United States of América. Now I lay me A Boy asks his older sister to buy him a gun. She says no. The Boy buys rifle slings, a military carrier vest, and optics . . . down to sleep The Boy posts about buying a gun and being a school shooter . . . I pray the Lord The Boy buys online 60 capacity magazines and posts a 10-day countdown . . . my soul to keep, The Boy becomes a Man: he buys two high-capacity rifles and over 2000 rounds of ammo . . . watch and guard me The Man texts that he will kill his grandmother and shoot up the Elementary School . . . through the night, The Gunman posts: I just shot my grandma in her head. Ima go shoot up a elementary school rn. [End Page 160] and wake me with The Gunman arrives at the School, shoots at two bystanders . . . Teachers call 911. the morning light. Police see the Gunman enter the School . . . (It's 11:33 a.m.) Almighty God, The Gunman fires over 200 rounds. radiant with light, Police enter the school as the Gunman continues to shoot . . . cast your goodness Gunman fires 16 more rounds in a classroom. to shine upon me. Police announce that Gunman is contained . . . .Gunman fires 11 more rounds. Most wonderful Lord, More Police enter the School . . . creator of all things, Police post that students and staff are safe in the School . . . hold your truth Gunman fires another round. More Police arrive . . . to shield me. Parents beg to enter the School. [End Page 161] Angel de mi guarda Police discuss what to do . . . oh mi dulce compañía A Student calls from a classroom. Twice. She whispers: multiple students are dead. no me desampares Police look for a master key . . . ni de noche ni de día Students call 911 again. They whisper: Children and a teacher are dead. hasta que me entregues More Police arrive . . . en los brazos Students call 911 again. They whisper: 8 or 9 students are alive. de Jesús Police Chief tries master key on another door . . . y de María Onlookers beg for action. Parents try to break the windows. Con tus alas me persigno Another Student inside calls 911. A Classmate whispers to him: hang up. The Gunman fires 4 rounds. y me abrazo de la Cruz Medics set up triage . . . Police search for a master key . . . [End Page 162] y en mi corazón me llevo A Student from a classroom calls again. She is told to wait . . . quietly . . . (It is 12:36 p.m.) al dulcísimo Jesús. [End Page 163] Cacayo St. Mary's College of Maryland Cacayo CACAYO (JOSÉ R. BALLESTEROS) is a Professor of International Languages and Cultures at St. Mary's College of Maryland. Beyond multiple publications in anthologies and journals, he authored the poetry collection Love Dust (Izote Press, 2014); and co-authored the Spanish letters textbook Voces de España (Cengage, 2014). Cacayo is the editor of Bolivian and Ecuadorian poetry for the Library of Congress' Handbook of Latin American Studies and is the founder and editor of the bilingual literary Press Zozobra Publishing. Copyright © 2022 South Central Review

The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Trauma in Victims of Gun Violence: a Pilot Study

ObjectivesGun violence is a significant problem in the United States of America. Gun violence produces lifelong psychological adversity, trauma, and grief. In the face of this epidemic, efficacious therapies that assuage gun violence-based trauma and negative health are lacking.MethodsThe proposed, longitudinal pilot experiment examined the effects of an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on traumatized individuals as a direct consequence of gun violence. Twenty-four victims of gun violence (median age = 53 years; 21 female) completed measures of the primary outcome: trauma. Secondary outcomes were characterized as grief, depression, sleep quality, life satisfaction, and mindfulness. All assessments were administered before, after 5, and 8 weeks of MBSR training. It was hypothesized that trauma and other comorbidities would improve following MBSR. It was also predicted that outcomes would be significantly stronger from baseline to 5 weeks of MBSR training than from 5 to 8 weeks of training.ResultsBefore MBSR, volunteers exhibited high levels of trauma, depression, sleep difficulty, and grief. Participation in MBSR was associated with improved trauma, depression, sleep difficulty, and life satisfaction. The most pronounced improvements in psychological disposition were exhibited within the first 5 weeks of MBSR. However, these benefits were largely preserved after completion of the course. Importantly, increases in dispositional mindfulness predicted lower trauma, complicated grief, and sleep difficulties.ConclusionsThe present findings should be interpreted with caution because they were derived from an uncontrolled, non-randomized trial. However, said findings suggest that MBSR may reduce trauma and improve overall well-being in gun violence victims.

Mechanism of penetrating injury mediates the risk of long-term adverse outcomes for survivors of violent trauma.

While hospital-based violence intervention programs are primarily designed to aid youth victims of gun violence at high risk for reinjury, the root causes and complex outcomes of community violence are varied. In this study, we examined the risk factors for violent penetrating injury and how the risk of adverse outcomes for survivors differs by injury type (stabbing vs. gunshot wound). This retrospective study was performed using a cohort of patients presenting to the Boston Medical Center emergency department for a penetrating injury due to community violence between 2006 and 2016. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the risk of all-cause mortality and violent reinjury within 3 years after surviving a penetrating injury. Of the 4,280 survivors of the initial violent penetrating injury, there were 88 deaths (2.1%) and 568 violent reinjuries (13.3%) within 3 years. Compared with gunshot wound victims, stab wound victims were 31% less likely to be reinjured with a gunshot wound (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.51-0.93), 72% more likely to be reinjured with a stab wound (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.21-2.43), and 49% more likely to be reinjured by assault (HR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.14-1.94). While survivors of stabbing and firearm injuries were equally at risk for 3-year all-cause mortality, stab wound victims were 3.75 times more likely to die by a drug/alcohol overdose (HR, 3.75; 95% CI, 1.11-20.65). Patients surviving a stab wound have a significantly higher risk of violent reinjury by stabbing or assault, and risk of death by drug/alcohol overdose. Hospital-based violence intervention programs with similar patient populations should explore options to expand partnerships with drug treatment programs. These results illustrate two distinct populations of victims of violence-gunshot victims and stabbing/assault victims-with separate risk factors and outcomes, mediated by substance use disorder. Prognostic and Epidemiologic; level III.

Firework activity and environmental sound levels: community impacts and solutions

ABSTRACT We conducted a comprehensive urban sound and community noise perception assessment, using the lens of illegal firework activity during the unique social climate of 2020 as its motivation. Using data gathered from stationary monitoring sites, our research app NoiseScore, emergency (911) and non-emergency (311) phone call reports, and data from the United States Census we observed significant neighborhood differences in sound levels associated with firework activity. We observed that firework activity was dominated by low-frequency sound across all neighborhoods. This trend persisted by time of day and day of week. Further, it was low-frequency sound ranges (and alternative weighting systems like C-weighting and Z-weighting that penalized lower frequency sound levels less) that had the highest correlations with 911 and 311 firework calls. Keywords qualitatively examined from 311 data like ‘bomb’, ‘explosion’, ‘PTSD’ and ‘war zone’ highlight that many residents associate the detonation of fireworks to danger, and view fireworks as an environmental psychological trigger that for many residents – particularly veterans, those living in neighborhoods impacted by gun violence, or victims of gun violence – is quite traumatic. Comparing our findings to existing epidemiological studies suggest that incessant firework activity puts residents at risk for negative cardiovascular and mental health outcomes.

A Compensation System for Gun Deaths and Injuries

My goal is to construct a compensation program for victims of gun violence. If the victim was killed or suffered serious injury through a negligent or intentional shooting, the survivor recovers stepped compensation. The claimant files a request for compensation with the new Second Amendment Commission. The financial part of the fund will be constructed from three sources: the federal government, the state government and the NRA coupled with the gun manufacturers. The fund will be administered by the Commission. My proposal does not rest on a finding of fault or blame by the contributors. It rests instead on cause in fact. At last gun victims will be compensated and receive more than mere condolences by political leaders.

Dolls4Peace Memorial

This community/art based participatory research project encompassed communal art making practices (art as therapy) to build community, heal and resist systemic oppression and community violence, as well as promote self-care, empowerment, and a sense of purpose. Using an ecological model, participants engaged in community-based art therapy to build and heal communities impacted by gun violence. This "Doll Project" developed as a grassroots approach to arts-based social change—an ongoing cycle of creation, reflection and action with the hope to create a wave of healing and understanding through impacted Chicago communities. This process was intended to engage communities and embody the use of creativity to shift power and flatten hierarchies, largely by building up leadership of those most impacted by violence. The art of doll making was used to memorialize victims of gun violence in the city in record-high years of murders, while simultaneously creating a memorial of resistance, and initiating community-based adaptive change practices for social equity, connectedness, and liberation. Two questions are highlighted by this research: How does gun violence impact school communities within largely isolated, marginalized urban communities? How can we best support those who witness and survive gun violence?

Patterns and Trends of Gun Violence Against Women in the United States.

To examine patterns and trends of firearm injuries in a nationally representative sample of US women. Gun violence in the United States exceeds rates seen in most other industrialized countries. Due to the paucity of data little is known regarding demographics and temporal variations in firearm injuries among women. Data were extracted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (2001-2017) for women 18 years and older. Number of nonfatal firearm assaults and homicide per year were extracted and crude population-based injury rates were calculated. Sub-stratification by age-group and time period were performed. Between 2001 and 2017, there were 88,823 nonfatal firearm assaults involving women and 29,106 firearm homicides. There were 4116 victims of nonfatal firearm assault in 2001 (3.8 per 105) and 12,959 by 2017 (10.0 per 105). Homicide rates were 1.5 per 105 in 2001 and 1.7 per 105 in 2017. Sub-stratification by age-group and time period showed that there were no significant changes in nonfatal firearm assault rates between 2001 and 2010 (P-trend = 0.132 in 18-44 yo; 0.298 in 45-64 yo). However between 2011 and 2017, nonfatal assault rates increased from 7.10 per 105 to 19.24 per 105 in 18-44 yo (P-trend = 0.013) and from 1.48 per 105 to 3.93 per 105 in 45-64 yo (P-trend = 0.003). Similar trends were seen with firearm homicide among 18-44 yo (1.91 per 105 to 2.47 per 105 in 2011-2017, P-trend = 0.022). However, the trends among 45-64 yo were not significant in both time periods. Female victims of gun violence are increasing and more recent years have been marked with higher rates of firearm injuries, particularly among younger women. These data suggest that improved public health strategies and policies may be beneficial in reducing gun violence against US women.

How does gun violence affect Americans’ trust in each other?

This article examines how Americans' actual experience of gun victimization affects their trust in others and how this further connects to the widely-discussed association between gun crime and trust at the place level. Analyzing data from the U.S. General Social Survey (GSS), I find that, regardless when it occurred in life, Americans who were victimized by guns trust much less in others than those who had no such experience. In terms of the size of the effect, repeated gun victimization has the strongest effect, followed by adulthood victimization, and then childhood victimization. I also find that individuals who later achieve higher socioeconomic status are better able to recover from the psychological effect of childhood gun victimization, lending support for the experiential theory of trust that people can update their trust according to changing experiences later in life. Finally, combing the GSS data with data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), I also show that higher percentages of nonfatal and fatal gun violence victims lead to lower levels of trust both across and within the U.S. census divisions over time. Findings of this study demonstrate that America's gun violence affects not only just those killed, injured, or present during gunfire, but it can also sabotage the social and psychological well-being of all Americans.

National Trends and Cost Burden of Surgically Treated Gunshot Wounds in the US

Gun violence remains a major burden on the US healthcare system, with annual cost exceeding $170 billion. Literature on the national trends in cost and survival of gun violence victims requiring operative interventions is lacking. All adults admitted with a diagnosis of gunshot wound requiring operative intervention were identified using the 2005-2016 National Inpatient Sample. The ICD Injury Severity Score, a validated prediction tool, was used to quantify the extent of traumatic injuries. Survey-weighted methodology was used to provide national estimates. Hospitalizations exceeding the 66th percentile of annual cost were considered as high-cost tertile. Multivariable logistic regressions with stepwise forward selection were used to identify factors associated with mortality and high-cost tertile. During the study period, 262,098 admissions met inclusion criteria with a significant increase in annual frequency and decrease in ICD Injury Severity Scores. A decline in mortality (8.6% to 7.6%; parametric test of trend= 0.03) was accompanied by increasing mean cost ($25,900 to $33,000; nonparametric test of trend < 0.001). After adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics, head and neck (adjusted odds ratio 31.2; 95% CI, 11.0 to 88.4; p < 0.001), vascular operations (adjusted odds ratio 24.5; 95% CI, 19.2 to 31.1; p < 0.001), and gastrointestinal (adjusted odds ratio 27.8; 95% CI, 17.2 to 44.8; p < 0.001) were independently associated with high-cost tertile designation compared with patients who did not undergo these operations. During the past decade, the increase in gun violence and severity has resulted in higher cost. Operations involving selected surgical treatments incurred higher in-hospital cost. Given the profound economic and social impact of surgically treated gunshot wounds, policy and public health efforts to reduce gun violence are imperative.

Engagement and Leadership in Firearm-Related Violence Prevention: The Role of the Pediatric Hospitalist.

Gun violence is a US public health crisis. Approximately 7000 children are hospitalized each year because of firearm-related injuries. As pediatric hospitalists, we are poised to address this crisis, whether we care directly for patients who are victims of gun violence. In this article, we aim to provide practical tools and opportunities for pediatric hospitalists to address the epidemic of gun safety and gun violence prevention, including specifics related to the inpatient setting. We provide a framework to act within 4 domains: clinical care, advocacy, education and research.

Implementing Checklists to Improve Police Responses to Co-Victims of Gun Violence.

This qualitative study identifies police interactions with gun violence co-victims as a crucial, overlooked component of police unresponsiveness, particularly in minority communities where perceptions of police illegitimacy and legal estrangement are relatively high. Gun violence co-victims in three cities participated in online surveys, in which they described pervasive disregard by police in the aftermath of their loved ones' shooting victimization. We build on the checklist model that has improved public safety outcomes in other complex, high-intensity professional contexts to propose a checklist for police detectives to follow in the aftermath of gun violence. To build the checklist, we also reviewed the general orders of five police departments to better understand what guidance, if any, is currently given to police personnel regarding how they should interact with gun violence victims.

States' Rights, Gun Violence Litigation, and Tort Immunity.

The devastating toll of gun violence has given rise to hundreds of lawsuits seeking justice on behalf of victims and their families. A significant number of challenges against gun companies, however, are blocked by courts' broad reading of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) - a federal statute often interpreted to shield the gun industry from civil liability. This article reexamines PLCAA in light of the Supreme Court's recent federalism caselaw, which counsels courts to narrowly construe federal laws that could otherwise upset the balance of power between states and the federal government. Since PLCAA infringes on traditional areas of state authority, the Supreme Court's federalism jurisprudence requires lower courts to interpret PLCAA narrowly, to not bar states from imposing negligence, nuisance, product liability, or other common law liability on gun companies. Reading PLCAA in line with federalism principles would preserve states' traditional authority over their civil justice laws, and enable gun violence victims, and their families, to hold gun companies responsible for wrongdoing.